Luxury Kimberley Helicopter Safari - Kimberley Circuit

Introduction A 6-day, 6-night, unforgettable private helicopter safari exploring the stunning Kimberley wilderness in true style. Enjoy views of the extraordinary Kimberley from your private helicopter. Land on mountain pinnacles to watch the sunset over your favourite cold drink, fish in wild rivers, view galleries of the oldest rock art on earth, soar through gorges and touch down to swim in secret springs and waterfalls. Your accommodation is in the region’s best luxury lodges and coastal wilderness retreats.

Departure dates HeliSpirit Luxury Kimberley Air Safaris operate from April through to October and do not have set departure dates. Our air safaris are private and therefore you can choose a date that suits you. April and May offer the best time for Barramundi fishing and the waterfalls will be flowing well. The landscape is still green after our monsoonal Wet season. June to August are our cooler months, with September and October starting to warm up as we head towards the monsoon.

Passenger numbers With HeliSpirit your Luxury Kimberley Helicopter Safari is a private experience. Our fleet is varied and we will depart with just 2 people. We are limited to 12 people at a maximum as the destinations we stay at are small and exclusive.

Fleet and customer service The helicopters we use for our safaris are turbine engine driven and supported by our world class maintenance engineers at our Kununurra facility. Feel sure that our whole team will look you after from the first experience at booking, through to your skilled pilot who knows the area intimately and the beautiful machine that will carry you through the outback Kimberley.

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Locations

Some of the locations you will visit are: Lake Argyle, Bungle Bungle, , El Questro, Cambridge Gulf, Kimberley Coast, , King George Falls, Mitchell Falls, Cockburn Range, Hunter River, Mount Trafalgar, Careening Bay, Naturalist Island, , Kalumburu, , Argyle Diamond Mine.

Accommodation Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments Kununurra – 1 night Berkeley River Lodge – 1 night Kimberley Coastal Camp – 2 nights El Questro Homestead – 2 nights

Route map

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Itinerary

Pre Tour day: Arrive into Kununurra

Transfer to Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments. Meet your safari pilot to get acquainted. Accommodation, airport transfers and drinks at the “meet your pilot” are included. Meals are at your own expense. Overnight: Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments

Day 1: Kununurra to Berkeley River Lodge – Far north Kimberley coast

Rise early today to enjoy the fresh Kimberley morning. Your HeliSpirit pilot will meet and transfer you to the airport helipad. Lift off from Kununurra at 6.00am to soar over the Ord River following its path west past the huge farms of the Ord Irrigation area. View the incredible patterns in the mud flats surrounding the town of Wyndham where 5 huge rivers meet, emptying into the Cambridge Gulf where some of the Kimberley’s biggest estuarine crocodiles live. Crossing the Gulf we pass over ancient traditional lands of the Balangarra people. Flying onwards, the ranges rise ahead with the watercourses of the De Lan Court and Berkeley Rivers beneath us. Fly low through the gorges of the Berkeley River to the and land at the oceanside helipad of the Berkeley River Lodge at 8.00 am.

Enjoy breakfast cooked to order at Dunes restaurant and then join a day cruise or tour and afterwards enjoy the pool and relax in your luxury villa. All luxury villas feature a lavish king bed or twin beds, an open air bathroom with dual vanities, shower and free-standing bathtub, air conditioning, outdoor deck with occasional furniture and daybed, coffee machine, water chiller and premium amenities.

The Berkeley River Lodge’s restaurant ‘Dunes’ combines flavours as rich as the scenery with unprecedented views across the expanse of the Timor Sea and the impressive backdrop of the Berkeley River mouth, Reveley Island, and the spectacular Kimberley coastline. The Berkeley River Lodge offers a casual yet decadent dining experience featuring multi course degustation dinner menus teamed with a fine selection of Australian wines. Only the best quality ingredients are used, sourced globally. A select range of soft drinks, beers and wines are provided with meals and on some excursions.

All meals and tours included – Reserve list wine, are at your own expense Overnight: Berkeley River Lodge

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Day 2: Berkeley River Lodge to Kimberley Coastal Camp

We lift off after breakfast with the day’s delicious picnic on board, prepared by the Berkeley River Lodge chef. Today’s flight takes in the remote Kimberleys northern coastline, with craggy cliffs, white coves and plentiful sea life to view from above. We fly over the twin waterfalls of the King George Falls before landing in Kalumburu, an aboriginal community where the mission is still in place with an astonishing museum curated by the Benedictine monks who have spent their lives here. Land at Eagle Falls for a swim and perhaps further afield to marvel at hidden galleries of ancient rock art. Rounding the top of WA and flying past Steep Head Island we come in to land on the shell beach at our destination for the next 2 nights, Kimberley Coastal Camp.

Kimberley Coastal Camp is an exclusive retreat, a place for the heart and soul, limiting guests to just 12. Kimberley Coastal Camp is unpretentious, laid back and set in an exquisite location. The fresh seafood is truly amazing and the fishing, wildlife and rock art will take your breath away. The cabins are set apart so are private. The showers and toilets are shared, set into the rocks a short way from the cabins. They are open to the vast Kimberley sky.

These are some elements that you can experience here: Wildlife: Wild dingoes, sea eagles, olive pythons, endangered quolls, and many other native animals. Fishing: The Admiralty Gulf is recognised as one of the best fishing destinations in with a wide variety of species and fishing options to enjoy. Culturally Rich: The exquisite art forms that adorn caves and rock panels throughout Yalrundair. Creature Comforts: Gourmet meals and a beautifully comfy bed in your ‘room with a view’. Eco Friendly: From natural Australian made toiletries to solar power and everything in between, the approach to protecting this unique part of the world is evident.

All meals, tours and limited Australian Beer, Sparkling and still wine is included - Spirits and Reserve list wines, are at your own expense Overnight: Kimberley Coastal Camp

Day 3: Kimberley Coastal Camp

This is a no-fly day where you can choose your wilderness experience. Spend your day fishing for the fabled Barramundi and dozens of other tropical species in the pristine azure waters the area is famous for. Explore this ancient land on foot, or by boat and experience the local birds, wildlife, bush tucker, ancient rock art and bush medicines first hand. You may prefer to take it easy on the boat, cruising and picnicking on deserted islands fringed by Boab trees, or sipping a cool drink from the day bed. The choices are yours.

All meals, tours and limited Australian Beer, Sparkling and still wine is included - Spirits and Reserve list wines, are at your own expense Overnight: Kimberley Coastal Camp

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Day 4: Kimberley Coastal Camp to Mitchell Falls, Prince Regent River and El Questro

Today’s adventure will take you along the coast first and then inland. Departing after early breakfast we soar over the Mitchell Plateau to orbit over and land at the top of the mighty 4 tiered Mitchell Falls. Your pilot will guide you on a walk to get the best of this iconic Australian feature. When ready we fly to the coast and may land at Naturaliste Island, to refuel if necessary, where we may see turtles. We continue through Prince Frederick Harbour, a natural harbour with bays, coves, spectacular cliffs and mangrove forests. We land at Careening Bay, the sandy cove where Philip Parker King beached his vessel, the Mermaid and the boat’s carpenter carved the inscription; HMC Mermaid 1820 on the famous “Mermaid Tree”. That famous boab tree is now 12 metres wide and is National Heritage listed.

View the King Cascades flowing into the Prince Regent River, Mt Trafalgar, Mt Waterloo and much more. Your helicopter allows you the flexibility to land and explore as you wish. We continue over rugged inland pastoral leases to , a remote fuel and accommodation stop on the Kalumburu Road. Here we refuel our helicopter and chat to the locals. Our last leg for the day takes us over the central Kimberley, flying over parts of the Road, Home Valley Station and the famous Crossing.

The glow of the afternoon sun on the red rocks of the Cockburn Range makes a stunning view for our sunset drinks location at a private location at El Questro. On sunset we fly to the Homestead landing on the lawn helipad, the secret holiday hideaway of many famous guests including Elton John, Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman.

Over 1 million acres in size, El Questro extends for approximately 80 kilometres, most of which has never been explored. El Questro Homestead, sits amid a cool oasis shaded by palm trees and tropical greenery, perched atop an escarpment that plummets into the . El Questro Homestead has become a by-word for absolute luxury within the Australian wilds. The room type included in this itinerary is a garden room, which you may choose to upgrade at an extra cost. Other room types are; Gorge View Rooms, Cliff Side Retreats and Chamberlain Suite. If you would like to upgrade let us know and we will provide you with a quotation.

All meals, tours and Australian Beer, Sparkling and still wine is included - Reserve list wine, are at your own expense Overnight: El Questro Homestead Garden Room

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Day 5: El Questro

El Questro tours and activities form an integral part of every visit to this stunning wilderness destination. A wide range of complimentary excursions are included that provide opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the natural attractions. The majority are exclusive to Homestead guests, facilitating engagement between the small group and their guide. El Questro’s enthusiastic rangers are adept at personalising your experience to your individual tastes.

All meals and selected tours included – Australian Beer, Sparkling and still wine is included - Reserve list wine,are at your own expense Overnight: El Questro Homestead Garden Room

Day 6: El Questro to Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle), Lake Argyle and Kununurra

Lift off from the El Questro Station helipad after breakfast to soar out over the Chamberlain River and fly south passing over the Elgee cliffs bordering the . Explore vast tracts of cattle station empires and marvel at the tenacity of our early pioneers in settling this rugged land. We pass over the traditional lands of the Kija and Djaru people and their community at Warmun, where many of our famous Aboriginal artists such as Rover Thomas and Queenie McKenzie lived and worked.

Our destination is Purnululu National Park, a World Heritage Listed area, celebrated for the valuable cultural and natural assets it holds including the Bungle Bungle Range, a 350million year old sandstone massif that rises up to 578 metres above sea level. The range stands 200 to 300 metres above a woodland and grass- covered plain, with steep cliffs on the western face. Elsewhere, particularly where Piccaninny Creek has formed Piccaninny Gorge, the range is cut by deep gullies and breaks up into complex areas of ridges and domes, with prominent orange and black or grey bands.

We land at Bellburn airfield in Purnululu to join a private overland tour that comprises a drive to the massif and then a guided walk through the striped sandstone domes and further into Cathedral Gorge, named due to its excellent acoustics.

In the afternoon we depart Purnululu, flying north over the Argyle Diamond Mine, where rare pink diamonds are found, then over huge Lake Argyle, the biggest manmade lake in the southern hemisphere. Its volume is said to be over 21 times that of Sydney harbour. The surrounding ranges that hold back the freshwater body will be glowing in the late afternoon light. We will land on a mountain pinnacle where you can drink a toast to the Kimberley and its spectacular landscape. Flying in to Kununurra and the Ord Valley is always spectacular, an oasis of lush farms, big waters and colourful ranges and is a fitting end to your unforgettable HeliSpirit helicopter adventure. Your pilot will transfer you to your Kununurra accommodation and say farewell.

All meals and selected tours are included – reserve list wine and drinks are an additional cost

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Price 2019 $18,500 per person twin share. The price includes everything except for Premium (top shelf) Spirits and Reserve list Wines at each location – these are at your own expense.

• We can take a minimum of 2 and up to 12 people on this itinerary. • Please ask for the single supplement cost. • You can choose to extend your stay at any of the 3 overnight destinations and upgrade your room type at El Questro Homestead. This will entail additional costs, which we will provide on request.

Luggage Luggage is restricted to 10kg per person. We supply you with a quality canvas and leather kit bag to use on tour and to keep. Laundry services are available at El Questro and Berkeley River Lodge. Most important items are: Camera, charged spare batteries, good waterproof walking shoes, light cotton clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bathers, small torch. Comfortable casual clothing is recommended. A small backpack is ideal to carry with you at all times to hold your; water bottle, sunscreen, bathers, small towel, hat and camera. A backpack allows you “hands-free” on walks.

Aircraft type Dependant on the number of guests and payload required we will use one or more of the following helicopter types: Bell 206 Jetranger: turbine engine, leather interior, very good viewing platform. Suitable for 2 or 3 passengers in comfort on this itinerary. 4 passenger seats are available. Robinson R66 : leather interior, very good viewing platform. Suitable for 2 passengers in comfort on this itinerary. 4 passenger seats are available. Bell LongRanger: turbine engine, leather interior, very good viewing platform. Suitable for 4 passengers in comfort on this itinerary (payload dependant). 6 passenger seats are available.

Your helicopter safari allows you to decide what experience you would like to do each day. Once booked, the accommodation locations will be set and cannot be changed, but each evening you can discuss and plan the next day’s activities with your pilot. Our pilots know the Kimberley intimately and will ensure your experience is the best you could hope for. You will find yourselves unwind and relax further each day, sinking into Kimberley time until on the last day, you really won’t want to leave.

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